NETBALL - WOODLEY SHOW NO MERCY

THE second week of fixtures in the Bracknell and District Netball League, sponsored by Total Tyre and Exhaust Company, was marred by three ankle injuries that required treatment from members of St John's Ambulance.

Slow-starting Greenfinch found themselves 17-4 down in the first quarter against Woodley Ansons, but they fought back strongly in the second quarter and narrowed the gap.

Ansons' defence players Elaine Hawkes and Pat Clifford worked hard to intercept the ball, while an equally competitive Greenfinch defence fought for every ball, but the 13-goal deficit from the first quarter proved too much for Greenfinch to pull back and they lost 50-37.

The game was played in good spirits with Lynne Lewis for Woodley enjoying a particularly good game.

Hilton managed to hold Bracknell for the first quarter of the match, however as the game progressed Bracknell settled into their well-practiced game and achieved a considerable difference by half time.

Bracknell continued to dominate, eventually winning 64-27 leaving their opponents without a point for half score.

Kinara nominated wing defence Penny Stringer as their player of the match against Pacers.

The Pacers shooters were consistently on form during the game and both teams played well throughout.

Kinara's defence continued to fight to the final whistle but Pacers triumphed 50-29.

Other results: Wokingham Flames 41 - Egham 36.

Division Two

THE match between Sunningdale and Wokingham Diamonds was as close as the eventual 38-34 scoreline suggests.

Sunningdale pulled away in the first quarter and just managed to stay ahead, despite some excellent Wokingham interceptions and a late surge.

Woodley Comets put in a very good performance in a fast paced game against a Chequers side that had been relegated from the first division last season.

The game remained close until the final quarter when Woodley managed to turn around a couple of Chequers centre passes and took the lead for the first time.

However Chequers rallied and regained the lead to win the match by three goals, 40-37.

Exceptionally good performances were put in by the Chequers goal attack, who played a vital role in the team and was involved in a high percentage of their play, and the Comets' shooters.

GTI and Tringham enjoyed a friendly encounter with both sides playing clean, competitive netball.

GTI started solidly in the first quarter and were 15 goals ahead by half time.

Tringham tried to fight back, however their attacking players were being broken down by a very strong defence.

GTI eventually won 41-28.

Kerry Martin (player of the match) at goal defence made many interceptions whilst goalkeeper Alex Greer made the most of her height.

Janet Russell of GTI had an excellent game at wing defence, demonstrating good movement and passing.

Chaffinch's second match of the season proved to be a challenging one with Bennetts winning convincingly, 40-22.

This boisterously fought match saw a hardy effort from the newly promoted Chaffinch.

And despite the many interceptions and consistently tight marking of Kerry Lyons at goalkeeper and Laura Hare-Winton at goal defence, Bennetts secured the lead in the first quarter.

Laura Briggs at centre worked tirelessly and produced some accurate passing into the circle which helped Chaffinch stay on Bennetts' heels.

Division Three

3M took an early lead in this friendly game against Woodley Spitfires, with both teams playing a sporting and competitive game.

Woodley struggled to gain possession as 3M continued to build on their lead and ended with a convincing 51-12 win.

3M nominated Vicki Stankus as player of the match for the opposition.

Pegasus were at a disadvantagefrom the start against Wokingham Rubies with only six players.

The situation worsened in the third quarter when the Pegasus goalkeeper had to leave the court after injuring her ankle , leaving only five to finish the match.

Wokingham Rubies took advantage and won 53-28, but both teams are eagerly looking forward to the re-match later in the season.

Crowthorne and Wokingham Sapphires both gave 100 per cent in their match, with the experienced Crowthorne team leading most of the way and eventually winning 35-28.

Hard work from Sapphires' centre court and defence helped them to within a goal's difference, but strong defending, particularly from the wing defence, enabled Crowthorne to pull away in the last quarter to take the three points.

Tringham B failed to field a team against Panasonic who therefore took three points and were awarded a 10-0 score as per the league rules.

Division Four

A highly competitive but enjoyable match took place between Woodley Tempests and Goldfinch.

Struggling with only one shooter and two reserves, Tempests did extremely well to win this game 28-16, dodging and intercepting passes with great skill.

Both teams showed great effort throughout and the score was very close up to the third quarter when Tempests took the lead.

Lizzie Hand, at goal attack for Goldfinch, and Emma Cottrell at GS/GA were nominated as players of the match by Woodley.

Unable to field a team of legally registered players, Wokingham Stars conceded this game to Bullfinch but were able to produce a team of mixed players for a "friendly game".

The match was played in good spirits with Bullfinch taking the opportunity to rearrange their players every quarter and try various team combinations.

Other results: Oracle 48, Swift 17. Gemini had no game due to the vacancy in this division.